Lorain man charged with alleged 2013 rape of family member

LORAIN — A Lorain man was charged with the alleged rape of a pre-school aged family member that occurred in 2013, Detective Buddy Sivert said.
Richard Gargasz, 19, was arrested Aug. 6 and charged with one count of rape for the alleged incident.
Sivert said the department was contacted by Lorain County Children Services after the family came forward with information regarding the crime.
Detective Tabitha Angello said a “disclosure of sexual abuse” was made by the victim, which started a month-long investigation.
A reason as to why the case took 18 months to come to light was unclear to Angello, but the detective did say once it was brought to the attention of Lorain police detectives, an investigation was immediately launched.
Once the disclosure was made and probable cause was established by detectives, the case was reviewed by the Lorain County Prosecutor’s Office and a warrant was issued for Gargasz’s arrest.
Angello said Gargasz was arrested at his grandparents’ home without incident.
The alleged suspect was removed from his home on the 3000 block of Tressa Avenue—where the alleged rape occurred—once the investigation started, she said.
Angello said the alleged crime was an isolated incident and no other victims have come forward.
Gargasz is currently being held in Lorain County Jail on $500,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in Lorain Municipal Court for a preliminary hearing Aug. 14.